Dental Exam
Dentist Beverly Hills, CA
 Regular dental exams are not just critical for your oral health, but also your overall health. Doctors and scientists believe that an unhealthy mouth may contribute towards not just dental caries and chronic gum diseases, but serious health issues like heart attacks, uncontrolled diabetes, and premature labor.
That’s why we at Sabeti Cosmetic Dentistry strongly recommend that you schedule a dental exam appointment with us at your earliest convenience.
When Should You Have A Dental Exam
You should have your very first dental appointment in infancy, and not wait until after you have developed a cavity in your tooth.
Infants Aged 6 Months to 1 Year
The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that your child should have their first dental appointment as soon as their first tooth erupts. This typically occurs after your child is six months old. Your child should have had their first dental exam by age one, during which their tooth and gums will be checked.
Toddlers to Teenagers
By age 3, your child will have a full set of primary teeth. By age 6, they will start losing their baby teeth, which will be replaced by their permanent teeth. By age 17, your child’s first wisdom tooth may start to erupt.
During these crucial years, it is important that you take your child for regular dental checkups. Typically, your child will need to visit the dentist every six months. However, we may recommend more frequent or less frequent visits, depending on your child’s oral health.
What to Expect During a Dental Exam
During a dental exam session, Dr. Shohreh Sabeti will take you through various steps:
Medical History Review
We will need to know if you have been diagnosed with any health issues, including those not related to your mouth. You will also be required to bring a list of all your medication, and inform us about the dosage. This is done to make sure that your condition or a prescribed drug does not interfere with a dental procedure. For example, chronic diseases like diabetes can interfere with wound healing, and some medications can cause dry mouth, which increase the chance of cavity development.
Visual and Physical Exam
During the actual exam, we will visually and physically look for signs of any dental problems. We will use a small light that can help us locate symptoms of dental diseases, like cavities, bleeding, tender, or swollen gums, and sores or lesions in the mouth.
The dental exam is done to:
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Assess your oral health and hygiene.
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Evaluate the risk of tooth decay, root infection, or gum disease.
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Check if your teeth need restoration, or if your prosthetic devices need to be replaced.
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Check if your bite is correct or if you experience problems while chewing.
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Evaluate your teeth for stains or deposits.
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Determine if you need fluoride treatment. |
X-rays
Depending on your age, medical history, symptoms, or risks, we may recommend x-rays. X-rays are very useful in diagnosing oral health issues that cannot be seen by the naked eye, such as impacted teeth, root abscess, cysts, damage to the jawbone, dental fractures beneath the gum line, or decay between teeth.
These days, digital radiographs emit very low amounts of radiation — not much more than you would receive during a sunny day out. A small number of x-rays are even safe enough for infants and children. Even so, we offer precautions like wearing a lead apron when having an x-ray.
Once the exam is done, we will discuss any potential problems that we detected in your mouth, and suggest a treatment plan for them.
Dental exams are particularly important for people who have a high risk of oral health issues. These include:
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Smokers, and drug and alcohol abusers.
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Pregnant women.
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People with periodontal disease
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People with chronic systemic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
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People with weakened immune systems like those suffering from HIV/AIDS or those who underwent an organ transplant surgery.
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People with a genetic tendency for getting cavities. |
Schedule An Appointment For Dental Exams in Beverly Hills
Find out if our dental exam in Beverly Hills, CA is right for you! Call (310) 707-1577 to schedule your consultation appointment today! |
